Tetrodotoxin neutralisation with a monoclonal antibody: In vitro Neuro-2a cell-based assay and in vivo Artemia salina test

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin causing severe seafood poisoning, with no available antidote worldwide. In this work, the ability of an anti-TTX monoclonal antibody (mAb) to neutralise TTX standard as well as the toxin present in different matrices, including Lagocephalus sceleratus tissue extracts, oyster extracts and human urine samples, was demonstrated using a Neuro-2a cell-based assay (CBA). The results showed that the in vitro neutralising activity varied depending on the biological matrix, with neutralisation percentages ranging from 22-80%. The specificity of the mAb towards TTX was further demonstrated using a Lagocephalus lagocephalus tissue extract containing saxitoxin (STX). The toxicological effect of TTX at different concentrations on Artemia salina was also evaluated. The in vivo neutralising activity was proved by the increase in the survival rate. These results suggest that the anti-TTX mAb could be use as therapeutic agent in tetrodotoxication cases.